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Family's Questions About Alzheimer's Patients Can Put Nurses in a Bind

Family's Questions About Alzheimer's Patients Can Put Nurses in a Bind

11/13/12

TUESDAY, Nov. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Many nurses and other
health workers at Alzheimer's care facilities feel unprepared to
tell patients' family members the truth about their loved one's
condition, a new study finds.

They often have to struggle with the choice of being positive
but dishonest, or candid but disheartening, the researchers
said.

The study included 15 registered nurses, 13 care assistants or
nurse aides, and four licensed practical nurses who worked at
skilled nursing or assisted-living facilities in four states.

Another communication dilemma faced by the workers was what to
say to relatives who did not have power of attorney but asked for
details about a patient's condition despite health information
privacy laws.

Many of the workers said family members often sought advice from
them, while the workers believed their professional role was to
offer the family options for care, according to the findings
published online Nov. 13 in the
Journal of Applied Communication Research.

The findings suggest "that nurses and care assistants working
with Alzheimer's patients and their families face unique
communication challenges in managing families' uncertainty that are
not adequately addressed in the training they receive," study
author Anne Stone, an assistant professor in the communication
department at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., said in a
journal news release.

"I think that discussing the experience of family uncertainty, and how to manage it, in training would help nursing staff," she suggested.

The study participants revealed several strategies they used to
help them deal with the challenges of communicating with patients'
families:

Health workers and families should develop a common set of care
expectations.

Caregiving should be more visible. For example, a nurse might
tell family members what care their loved one recently received, or
a care assistant might perform some care tasks, such as trimming a
patient's fingernails, in the family's presence.

Emphasize to relatives that coming to see the patient is also
positive for the visitor.

More information

The Alzheimer's Association offers resources for
family and friendsof Alzheimer's patients.

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.